Testing Adapter

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a testing adapter suitable for testing a wireless telecommunication device. The testing adapter comprises a first contact member and a second contact member, the first contact member and the second contact member having at least one degree of freedom relative to each other and arranged to provide an attachable and detachable mechanical coupling with a surface of a component recess of the wireless telecommunication device on the basis of the at least one degree of freedom.

FIELD

The invention relates to a testing adapter for testing a wirelesstelecommunication device.

BACKGROUND

The manufacture of wireless telecommunication devices involves a complextesting procedure where a wireless telecommunication device is placedinto a testing arrangement and subjected to mechanical and electronictests. The testing procedure involves a mechanical contact between thetesting arrangement and the wireless telecommunication device in orderto position and handle the wireless telecommunication device. Theformation of the mechanical contact effects the time used for thetesting procedure and techniques required for accessing a testinginterface of the wireless telecommunication device. Therefore, it isuseful to consider techniques for testing a wireless telecommunicationdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved testing adapter.According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a testingadapter for testing a wireless telecommunication device, the testingadapter comprising a first contact member and a second contact member,the first contact member and the second contact member having at leastone degree of freedom relative to each other and arranged to provide anattachable and detachable mechanical coupling with a surface of acomponent recess of the wireless telecommunication device on the basisof the at least one degree of freedom.

The invention provides several advantages. The use of the componentrecess as a mechanical contact surface between the testing adapter andthe wireless telecommunication device provides an efficient way tohandle a wireless telecommunication device in a test environment.Furthermore, the use of the component recess as the mechanical contactsurface reduces the exposure of the cover of the wirelesstelecommunication device to mechanical stress and visual defects.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail withreference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1A shows a first example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 1B shows a second example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a third example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a first example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a second example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a third example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a first example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a second example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a third example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a fourth example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a first example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a second example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a third example of a structure of a testing adapteraccording to a fourth embodiment, and

FIG. 13 shows an example of a structure of a testing adapter accordingto a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, examine an example of the structure of atesting adapter 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thetesting adapter 100 comprises a first contact member 102A and a secondcontact member 102B. The first contact member 102A and the secondcontact member 102B are dimensioned and mutually located such that thetesting adapter 100 may be fitted into a component recess 124 of awireless telecommunication device 110.

The wireless telecommunication device 110 may also be referred to as amobile phone, a cellular phone, user equipment, a mobile station, amobile terminal and/or a wireless telecommunication modem. The presentsolution, is not, however, restricted to the listed devices, but may beapplied to any wireless telecommunication device connectable to awireless telecommunication network.

The first contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B have atleast one degree of freedom 104 relative to each other so that therelative position of the first contact member 102A and the secondcontact member 102B may be changed, thus providing an attachable anddetachable mechanical coupling between the testing adapter 100 and asurface 120A 120D of the component recess 124.

The degree of freedom 104 may be a rotational degree of freedom, whichenables relative rotation between the first contact member 102A and thesecond contact member 102B. The relative rotation may be pivoted suchthat the overall dimensions of the testing adapter 100 are changedduring the relative rotation, thus enabling the testing adapter 100 tobe attached to and be detached from the component recess 124.

The at least one degree of freedom 104 has a component parallel to aline between opposite portions of the surface 120A to 120D of thecomponent recess 124. Opposite portions are, for example, portion 120Cand portion 120D.

The relative position of the first contact member 102A and the secondcontact member 102B may be controlled by an actuator mechanism 112,which may be integrated into the first contact member 102A and/or thesecond contact member 102B.

The testing adapter 100 is pressed in an installation direction 106 intothe component recess 124 in a disengaged position of the testing adapter100. In the disengaged position, the separation between the firstcontact member 102A and the second contact member 102B is less than theseparation between the opposite portions 120C, 120D of the componentrecess 124. Then, the separation between the first contact member 102Aand the second contact member 102A is increased. When the separation issufficient to provide the mechanical coupling, an engaged position isattained, and the wireless telecommunication device 110 is mechanicallysupported by the testing adapter 100. The engaged position enables thewireless telecommunication device 110 to be subjected to a testingprocedure. The testing procedure may involve an access to, for example,a user interface, data buses and/or power connections of the wirelesstelecommunication device 110. The testing procedure may also involve avisual inspection of the wireless telecommunication device 110 by atesting system and/or testing personnel.

The testing adapter 100 may be mounted to the testing system not shownin FIG. 1A. The testing system may include a stand for positioning thetesting adapter 100 into a position suitable for the testing systemand/or testing personnel.

The component recess 124 is typically a hollow for an attachable and adetachable component, such as a battery or a memory card. The componentrecess 124 may also be referred to as a battery grave or a card slotdepending on the embodiment. The testing adapter 100 may be fittedaccording to the shape of the surface 120A to 120D of the componentrecess 124 in order to ensure a sufficient mechanical coupling.

The first contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B aremade of solid material, such as plastic, ceramics or metal.

With further reference to FIG. 1A, the testing adapter 100 may compriseat least one electric contact member 114 for providing an electriccoupling with an electric contact 108, 116 located in the componentrecess 124. The electric contact member 114 is connected to an electricconnector 122, which electric connector 122 is further connected to thetesting system. The electric contact members 114 provide an electricaccess from the testing system to electric test objects, such as powersupply, SIM card slot (Subscribe Identity Module), motherboard contactpoints or test pads, of the wireless telecommunication device 110. Theelectric access enables test signals to be inputted into and responsesignals to be outputted from the wireless telecommunication device 110.The electric contact members 114 may be located in accordance with thelocation of the electric contacts 108, 116.

With reference to FIG. 1B, the testing adapter 100 is shown from acomponent-recess side. Electric contact members 118 contacting electriccontacts 116 located in the bottom of the component recess 124 areshown. The electric contact members 114, 118 may slightly extend fromthe first contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B inorder to ensure a sufficient electric coupling with the electriccontacts 108, 116. The electric contacts 114, 118 may be equipped with asuspension mechanism, which limits mechanical force between the electriccontact member 114, 118 and the electric contact 108, 116 when thetesting adapter 100 is in the engaged position.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the testing adapter 100 connected to anexternal support 126, such as a stand. In this example, the testingadapter 100 is in the engaged position, and the electric contact members114, 118 are connected to the electric contacts 108, 116.

With reference to examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 12, in an embodiment ofthe invention, the testing adapter 100 comprises a force transformingmechanism coupled with the first contact member 102A and the secondcontact member 102B. The force transforming mechanism transforms a firstforce component 304 into a second force component 302, wherein the firstforce component 304 is generated when the testing adapter 100 is pressedinto the component recess 124. The second force component 302 isparallel to a line between opposite portions 120C, 120D of the surfaceof the component recess 124, thus providing a mechanical couplingbetween the portion 120D and the first contact member 102A and amechanical coupling between the portion 120C of the component recess 124and the second contact member 102B.

The testing adapter 100 may be pressed into the component recess 124 bytesting personnel or by an automated mechanism, such as a robot arm.

With reference to FIG. 3, the force transform mechanism may beimplemented by setting the first contact member 102A and the secondcontact member 102B against each other and by introducing a foldingcontact 306 between the first contact member 102A and the second contactmember 102B. In the disengaged position of the testing adapter 100, apoint of the testing adapter in the vicinity of the folding contact 306is separated from the bottom of the component recess 124, and the end ofthe first contact member 102A and the end of the second contact member102B locate in the vicinity of the bottom of the component recess 124.In this case, the first contact member 102A and the second contactmember 102B form a flexible V-shaped testing adapter 100, whose endsapproach the opposite portions 120C, 120D of the surface of thecomponent recess 124 when the first force component 304 is applied tothe testing adapter 100.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mechanical transmission mechanismcomprises a first gear 300A connected to the first contact member 102Aand a second gear 300B connected to the second contact member 102B. Thefirst gear 300A and the second gear 300B are compatible with each other,for example, in terms of a tooth size and a tooth separation. The firstgear 300A and the second gear 300B are coupled to each other andarranged to transmit rotational force between each other. The gears300A, 300B may replace a need for the folding contact 306, thusproviding a rigid contact between the first contact member 102A and thesecond contact member 102B in a large scale of rotational angles betweenthe first contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B.

With reference to an example shown FIG. 4, the testing adapter 100 ofFIG. 3 is shown in the engaged position. The first contact member 102Ais in contact with the surface portion 120D while the second contactmember is in contact with the surface portion 120C, thus coupling thetesting adapter 100 mechanically with the wireless telecommunicationdevice 110. The electric contact member 114 is in contact with theelectric contact 108 of the component recess 124. FIG. 4 also shows aportion of an extension 400 of the electric contact member 114, whichextension 400 may be connected to a wire or other means for electricallyconnecting the electric contact member 114 to the testing system.

With reference to an example shown in FIG. 5, a testing adapterconfiguration of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown from another perspective. FIG. 5shows the extension 400 and further electric contact members 500 forconnecting to electric contacts 118 located in the bottom of thecomponent recess 124. Also, positioning means 504 for providing anaccurate mechanical position of the testing adapter 100 relative to thewireless telecommunication device 110 are shown.

With reference to an example shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in an embodiment ofthe invention, the first contact member 102A comprises first guidingmeans 600 for guiding the second contact member 102B apart from thefirst contact member 102A when the testing adapter is pressed into thecomponent recess 124, thus forming the mechanical coupling between thetesting adapter 100 and the surface 120C, 120D of the component recess124.

The first guiding means 600 may be a groove 600 formed in the side ofthe first contact member 102A. The second contact member 102B maycomprise an extension 602, such as a bar, which extends from the body ofthe second contact member 102B into the groove 600.

The guiding means 600 may also be a protruded guiding structure, such asa guiding rail, extending from the first contact member 102A. In such acase, the second contact member 102B comprises a contact structurecompatible with the protruded guiding structure.

The guiding means 600 may have curvature so that the second contactmember 102B has a curved trajectory when moving the second contactmember 102B along the guiding means 600. When applying the first forcecomponent 304 to the first contact member 102A, the second contactmember 102B follows the curved trajectory relative to the first contactmember 102A, thus generating a second force component 302, whichincreases the relative position of the first contact member 102A and thesecond contact member 102B. In FIG. 6, the testing adapter 100 is in thedisengaged position while in FIG. 7, the testing adapter 100 is reachingthe engaged position.

In FIG. 8, the testing adapter of FIGS. 6 and 7 is in the engagedposition. FIG. 8 shows the electric contact member 114 which iselectrically coupled with the electric contact 108. The extension 400 ofthe electric contact member 114 and an electric contact member 800connected to the electric contacts 118 of the bottom of the componentrecess 124 are also shown.

FIG. 9 shows the testing adapter of FIGS. 6 to 8 from anotherperspective. A plurality of extensions 400 of the electric contactmembers 108 are shown. The testing adapter 100 may further comprise aplurality of electric contact members 800 connecting to the electriccontacts 118 located in the bottom of the component recess 124.

With reference to examples of FIGS. 10 to 12, in an embodiment of theinvention, the testing adapter 100 comprises a body 920 coupled with thefirst contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B. The body920 comprises a second guiding means 926, 928, which guides the secondcontact member 102B apart from the first contact member 102A when thetesting adapter 100 is pressed into the component recess 124, thusforming the mechanical coupling between the testing adapter 100 and thesurface 120C, 120D of the component recess 124.

In an embodiment of the invention, the body 920 comprises the secondguiding means 926 for guiding the first contact member 102A, and thesecond contact member 102B is connected to the body 920. In such a case,the second guiding means 928 for guiding the second contact member 102Bmay not exist.

The second guiding means 926, 928 may be a groove formed in the body920. The second guiding means 926, 928 may also be a protruded guidingstructure.

The first contact member 102A and the second contact member 102B mayhave an extension 922 and 924, respectively, to be guided by the secondguiding means 926, 928.

The guiding means 926, 928 may have curvature so that the first contactmember 102A and the second contact member 102B have curved trajectorieswhen moving the first contact member 102A and the second contact member102B along the guiding means 926, 928. When applying the first forcecomponent 304 to the body 920, the first contact member 102A and thesecond contact member 102B follow the curved trajectories, thusgenerating a second force component 302, which increases the relativeposition of the first contact member 102A and the second contact member102B. In FIG. 10, the testing adapter 100 is in the disengaged positionwhile in FIGS. 11 and 12, the testing adapter 100 is in the engagedpositions.

FIG. 11 further shows the extension 400 and the electric contact member114 connected to the electric contact 108. The electric contact members800 contacting the electric contacts 118 located in the bottom of thecomponent recess 124 are shown.

With reference to FIG. 12, another perspective of FIGS. 10 and 11 isshown. FIG. 12 shows the gears 940A, 940B, whose function and structuremay be similar to those described in conjunction with FIGS. 3 to 5.

With reference to FIG. 13, in an embodiment of the invention, the firstcontact member 102A comprises a third guiding means 944, such as guidingrails, for guiding the second contact member 102B in the directioncomprising a direction component parallel to a line between the oppositeportions 120C, 120D of the surface of the component recess 124. Thetesting adapter 100 further comprises a force transmission means 942coupled with the first contact member 102A or the second contact member102B. The force transmission means 942 transmits an external force 948for sliding the first contact member 102A relative to the second contactmember 102B. The force trans-mission means 942 may comprise a barextending from the first contact member 102A or the second contactmember 102B, and a bearing 952 for providing a smooth support from anexternal structure 950.

The second contact member 102B may comprise an open groove compatiblewith the guiding means 944 in order to provide a sufficient mechanicalcontact between the first contact member 102A and the second contactmember 102B.

The testing adapter 100 may further be axially pivoted to the externalstructure 950. The force transmission means 942 is supported by theexternal structure 950 when the testing adapter 100 is rotated about anaxial pivot 940, thus causing the first contact member 102A to slidealong the third guiding means 944. In the example of FIG. 13, thetesting adapter 100 is arranged to provide the engaged position when theforce directed at the force transmission means 942 from the externalsupport 950 is decreased. The force from the external support 950 may becontrolled by turning the wireless telecommunication device 110 in thedirection shown by arrow 946. The testing adapter 100 may furthercomprise a force means, such as a spring, for forcing the testingadapter 100 into the engaged position when the external support 950 isnot applied. The testing adapter 100 is released from the engagedposition when supporting the testing adapter 100 to the external support950.

Even though the invention has been described above with reference to anexample according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that theinvention is not restricted thereto but it can be modified in severalways within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A testing adapter for testing a wireless telecommunication device,wherein the testing adapter comprises a first contact member and asecond contact member, the first contact member and the second contactmember having at least one degree of freedom relative to each other andarranged to provide an attachable and detachable mechanical couplingwith a surface of a component recess of the wireless telecommunicationdevice on the basis of the at least one degree of freedom.
 2. Thetesting adapter of claim 1, wherein the testing adapter furthercomprises at least one electric contact member for providing an electriccoupling with an electric contact located in the component recess. 3.The testing adapter of claim 1, wherein the second contact member andthe first contact member are arranged to provide the mechanical couplingwith a component recess selected from a group comprising: a batterygrave, a card slot.
 4. The testing adapter of claim 1, wherein thetesting adapter comprises a force transforming mechanism coupled withthe first contact member and the second contact member, for transforminga first force component into a second force component, wherein the firstforce component is generated when the testing adapter is pressed intothe component recess, the second force component being parallel to aline between opposite portions of the surface of the component recess,thus providing a mechanical coupling between the surface of thecomponent recess and the first contact member and a mechanical couplingbetween the surface of the component recess and the second contactmember.
 5. The testing adapter of claim 4, wherein the mechanicaltransmission mechanism comprises a first gear connected to the firstcontact member and a second gear connected to the second contact member,the first gear and the second gear being arranged to transmit arotational force between each other.
 6. The testing adapter of claim 4,wherein the first contact member comprises first guiding means forguiding the second contact member apart from the first contact memberwhen the testing adapter is pressed into the component recess, thusforming the mechanical coupling between the testing adapter and thesurface of the component recess.
 7. The testing adapter of claim 4,wherein the testing adapter comprises a body coupled with the firstcontact member and the second contact member, the body comprising asecond guiding means for guiding the second contact member apart fromthe first contact member when the testing adapter is pressed into thecomponent recess, thus forming the mechanical coupling between thetesting adapter and the surface of the component recess.
 8. The testingadapter of claim 1, wherein the first contact member comprises a thirdguiding means for guiding the second contact member in the directioncomprising a direction component parallel to a line between oppositeportions of the surface of the component recess, the testing adapterfurther comprising a force transmission means coupled with the firstcontact member or the second contact member, for transmitting anexternal force for sliding the first contact member relative to thesecond contact member, the testing adapter further being axially pivotedto an external structure, the force transmission means being arranged tobe supported by the external structure when the testing adapter isrotated about an axial pivot, thus causing the first contact member toslide along the third guiding means.